Cardiovascular Health Is Associated With Disability Among Older Community Dwelling Men and Women

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Cardiovascular health (CVH) is a critical factor in aging well.
• Disability significantly impacts the quality of life for older individuals.
• The relationship between overall CVH and the onset/progression of disability requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if an index of overall cardiovascular health (CVH) is associated with disability in older adults.
• To examine the association between baseline CVH and the incidence and worsening of disability over a 9-year period.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 925 participants (≥65 years) in the InCHIANTI study with a median 9-year follow-up.
• Assessed CVH using factors: smoking, physical activity, BMI, diet, blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose.
• Measured disability via instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and activities of daily living (ADL) limitations.

Main Results:

• A 1-point increase in CVH score was associated with a 23% lower odds of ADL disability (p < .001) and 17% lower odds of IADL disability (p < .001).
• Higher CVH scores were protective against disability worsening over 9 years.
• Cox models showed a 1-point CVH increase was linked to lower hazards for both ADL (HR=0.86, p=.005) and IADL (HR=0.91, p=.007) disability.

Conclusions:

• Better overall cardiovascular health is significantly associated with a reduced risk of developing and worsening disability in older individuals.
• Promoting and maintaining cardiovascular health may be a key strategy to preserve functional independence in aging populations.